Conservation Initiatives

What Conservation Initiatives does

Conservation Initiatives is a not-for-profit Trust founded in 2017 and registered in Guwahati, India, dedicated to science-based wildlife conservation and sustaining positive human-nature interactions across Northeast India. The organization delivers conservation programs targeting threatened species — primarily the Asian elephant in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape of Assam and the western hoolock gibbon in community-managed forests of Meghalaya and Nagaland — alongside broader community-based conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and conservation training initiatives spanning Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and selective work in the Western Ghats.

Its core methodology integrates quantitative ecological techniques — photographic spatial capture-recapture sampling for individual elephant identification, spatial dynamic occupancy models, camera trapping, bio-acoustic monitoring, sign surveys, and landscape connectivity modeling drawing on crowd-sourced data from over 1,000 people across a >20,000 sq. km region of Assam — with participatory community engagement and stakeholder capacity building. Outputs include scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals (Science of the Total Environment, Biological Conservation, Scientific Reports), construction of elephant-proof granaries in the Kaziranga landscape, fuel-efficient stove deployment in remote villages, support to communities in establishing Community Reserves, and eco-education programs reaching close to 2,000 students in Meghalaya.

The organization is led by co-founders Dr. Varun R. Goswami (Senior Scientist) and Dr. Divya Vasudev (Trustee/Senior Scientist), both PhD graduates of the University of Florida with prior senior roles at the Wildlife Conservation Society India Program. A network of approximately 20 research and conservation affiliates — drawn from NCBS, Deakin University, Centre for Wildlife Studies, and other institutions — supports field operations. Funding is generated through voluntary donations and grants, with FCRA registration enabling foreign contributions, via programmatic support pathways ("Support a Program," "Conserve a Species," "Adopt a Conservationist") on the trust's website. Conservation Initiatives does not sell commercial products or charge for services; it operates from a primary contact office in Shillong (Meghalaya) with a registered address in Guwahati (Assam).

Name

Conservation Initiatives

Legal name

Conservation Initiatives

Website

https://conservationinitiatives.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Conservation Initiatives is a not-for-profit Trust that delivers science-based wildlife conservation in Northeast India, focusing on Asian elephant and western hoolock gibbon protection through ecological research, community-based programs, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation funded by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Conservation, Research & Volunteer Experiences (THAJAIAJ)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Community-based conservation
• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
• Habitat connectivity research
• Endangered species protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Shillong

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a not-for-profit Trust registered in Guwahati under the Income Tax Act, Conservation Initiatives raises funds through donations. Supporters can 'Support a Program', 'Conserve a Species', 'Adopt a Conservationist', or offer overall programmatic support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Conservation Initiatives is a not-for-profit Trust that delivers science-based wildlife conservation in Northeast India through flagship programs covering Asian elephant protection in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape and western hoolock gibbon conservation in Meghalaya's community forests. It runs community-based conservation initiatives in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Assam, develops scientific strategies for human-wildlife conflict mitigation (particularly human-elephant interaction), and provides conservation training and mentorship to aspiring conservationists. The organization funds these activities via donations and programmatic support from individual supporters.

Product overview

Conservation Initiatives is a not-for-profit Trust (non-governmental organization) focused on science-based wildlife conservation in Northeast India. Rather than a software product company, it operates conservation programs including its flagship Asian Elephant Conservation Program and Western Hoolock Gibbon Conservation initiative. The organization delivers services through Community-Based Conservation programs, Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation strategies, and Conservation Training and Mentorship. All offerings are conservation-focused public good programs, not commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Asian Elephant Conservation Program Flagship conservation program focused on landscape-scale conservation of the endangered Asian elephant in Assam's Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, including human-wildlife conflict mitigation, elephant movement facilitation through tea estates, and population monitoring via photographic spatial capture-recapture.
• Western Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Community-based conservation initiative to protect the endangered western hoolock gibbon (India's only wild ape) in community-managed forests of Meghalaya and Nagaland, including habitat mapping, population surveys, and awareness programs.
• Community-Based Conservation Program working with communities in Northeast India to support forest and wildlife conservation through traditional community governance systems, community-based bio-monitoring (camera traps, sign surveys, bio-acoustic monitoring), and development of nature-friendly livelihoods such as eco-tourism and fuel-efficient stoves.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Scientific strategies for managing human-wildlife conflict, particularly human-elephant interactions, combining spatio-temporal predictions, animal behavior understanding, and stakeholder engagement in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape. Includes infrastructure interventions such as elephant-proof granaries.
• Conservation Training and Mentorship Training programs and mentorship for aspiring conservationists, including workshops, lectures on conservation science, and support for professional growth, particularly in Northeast India. Delivered via the Campfire Trails eco-education program and through supervision of PhD researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Identified elephant corridors across >20,000 sq. km region of Assam using crowd-sourced data from >1,000 people combined with modern connectivity models
• +6 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017CI collaborates with CWS on elephant conservation research. Parvathi K. Prasad pursues her PhD through CWS under the guidance of Dr. Varun R. Goswami, as part of a collaboration between CWS and Conservation Initiatives. Varun Goswami is also an Affiliate Senior Scientist at CWS.
• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Biang La Nam Syiem is pursuing a PhD at Deakin University, Australia, under the supervision of Prof. Don Driscoll, Dr. Divya Vasudev, and Dr. Varun Goswami. This represents an academic partnership for conservation research and student supervision.
• The Habitats TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Listed as a partner organization on CI's About page, indicating a collaborative relationship in conservation efforts.
• National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), BangalorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple CI team members (Varun Goswami as Affiliate Faculty, Divya Vasudev as instructor for Landscape Ecology and Population Ecology courses) are affiliated with NCBS. CI co-instructs courses at NCBS and mentors MSc and PhD students through the institution.
• State Forest Departments (Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCI collaborates with multiple state forest departments, including a formal collaboration with the Assam Forest Department to photographically document elephants in Kaziranga National Park and track them in time and space. Work extends across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth co-founders (Varun R. Goswami and Divya Vasudev) previously held senior positions at WCS India Program. Goswami built and shaped WCS India Program's elephant work (2014-2019) and co-led its Northeast India program with Vasudev. WCS remains a key organizational reference and collaborator in conservation projects.
• Campfire TrailsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco-tourism company co-founded by Zorba Z. Laloo. Has catered to almost 2,000 students and works closely with villages to design and develop sustainable eco-rural tourism projects. Associated with CI through Laloo's dual role.
• IUCN Connectivity Conservation Specialist GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivya Vasudev is listed as a member of the IUCN-Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group, facilitating international conservation knowledge exchange and policy alignment.
• IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarun R. Goswami is a member of the IUCN-Asian Elephant Specialist Group, contributing to international species conservation planning.
• Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiang La Nam Syiem was awarded an internship at SACON during his Bachelor's degree in Zoology, where he first experienced professional field-based wildlife research.
• Green Army (Christ University, Bangalore)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArjun Menon was a member of Green Army, a group of youngsters at Christ University with interest in nature, during his Bachelor's degree. This represents a pipeline for conservation talent.
• Ribexpeditions (Swiss-owned expedition company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZorba Z. Laloo was crew member for this Swiss-owned expedition company, completing source-to-sea expeditions. Represents experience-based conservation and outdoor education connection.
• Assam Forest DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with CI on a formal project to photographically document elephants in Kaziranga National Park and track them in time and space, supporting landscape-scale conservation planning.
• North East NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTsuseki Yimchunger received conservation training from North East Network, facilitating local conservation capacity building in Nagaland.
• Green HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTsuseki Yimchunger received a one-year Fellowship from Green Hub on video documentation, contributing to conservation communication capacity in Nagaland.
• Corbett FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnju Bawri participated in vocational training conducted by the Corbett Foundation, building her conservation skills in wildlife and natural history observation.
• Naturalist for Rehabilitation of Snakes and Birds (Kaziranga)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnju Bawri received bird watching training at workshops organized by this Kaziranga-based NGO, supporting her development as a conservation enthusiast from the tea community.
• Advisors (Dr. Ajith Kumar, Dr. Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Mr. Srinivas V., K. Ullas Karanth)minorOthersAdvisory board comprising Dr. Ajith Kumar, Dr. Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Mr. Srinivas V., and K. Ullas Karanth (noted conservation scientists) who provide strategic guidance to the organization.
• Research Advisors (Prof. Mohan Delampady, Prof. Kavita Isvaran, Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan)minorOthersResearch advisors including Prof. Mohan Delampady, Prof. Kavita Isvaran, and Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan who provide academic and research guidance to CI's scientific programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/conservinit_org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvFMzABVm4K4L7j0GzWJxeA
• Instagraminstagram.com/conservation.initiatives
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conservation-initiatives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conservation Initiatives